Vol 2 Chapter 3 Part 4

We had lunch at a nearby restaurant that specialized in simmered tofu. As I watched Holmes’s elegant table manners, I thought, So this is how you look refined when you eat. I’ll keep this in mind when I’m eating on camera.

As I was observing him closely, he chuckled and said, “You’re eager, I see.” He’d figured out that I was watching him to use him as a reference.

I gave an awkward, strained laugh. “Oh right, so did you get called to Nanzen-ji for an appraisal job?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Huh, it’s something else?”

“I haven’t heard the details yet, but they said they wanted a consultation, so it’s probably not an appraisal.”

“A consultation, huh?” Normally people go to temples for advice, not the other way around. That’s pretty amazing. I wonder what they’re going to talk about? I was starting to get a bit excited.

After lunch we walked back to Nanzen-ji Temple at a relaxed pace. This time we went straight to the lecture hall, passing under the Sanmon gate. The place had an exquisite air to it. The surrounding trees had begun to change color, but they weren’t fully red yet.

“I bet this place’ll be really nice at the peak of autumn.”

“I’m sure it’ll be filmed for your program when the time comes. I’m looking forward to the broadcast.”

We talked quietly as we walked. I’d been looking forward to filming, but Holmes’s words got me nervous. If he’s going to be watching, then I really have to focus on doing a good job.

“It’s almost time for my appointment, so let’s go to the honbo.”

“The what?”

“The head priest’s residence. He’s the one who called for me.”

Walking in that direction, we came upon a large Japanese-style estate with white walls and a black tiled roof. Despite it being the head priest’s residence, it looked like anyone could go in if they paid the entrance fee. I spotted sightseers here and there.

A young priest was standing in front of the building. When he saw us, he bowed deeply. “Yagashira, right?” he asked with a gentle smile.

“Yes.”

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m one of Nanzen-ji Temple’s priests, Ensho. Thank you very much for coming today. Please, come this way.”

The priest named Ensho guided us inside. As we followed him, I noticed a big calligraphy screen on display in the Japanese-style room. It had two Chinese characters on it, but the writing was too artistic for me to make out.

“What does this say?” I asked.

Holmes stopped walking and answered, “It says ‘Zuiryu,’ meaning ‘auspicious dragon.’ Zuiryu is Nanzen-ji Temple’s mountain name.” Buddhist temples in Japan have multiple names, but only the main one is commonly used. The mountain name is called that because temples are metaphorically referred to as mountains.

Ensho looked surprised at how readily Holmes answered my question. He nodded and said, “Yes. This was written by the eighth head priest of Nanzen-ji Temple, Kikusen Shimada. I’m impressed that you knew Nanzen-ji’s mountain name. No wonder you’re called the Holmes of Kyoto.”

“No, I’m only called ‘Holmes’ because my surname is Yagashira,” Holmes replied with a smile. Why does he always give that answer?

“There’s no need to be humble. I’ve heard about your accomplishments, such as the one at Ninna Temple.”

“Ah, the case at Ninna Temple…” Holmes nodded.

I leaned over to him. “Hey, what’d you do at Ninna Temple?”

“I simply appraised a tea bowl,” he said nonchalantly.

I frowned. Damn it, he doesn’t want to bother telling me. There’s no way it was just an appraisal.

Ensho stopped and turned to face us as if he’d just remembered something. “If you don’t mind, would you like to see our prized treasures before going to the guest room?”

“Why, of course.” Holmes smiled, looking genuinely happy.

“Right this way, then.” Ensho quickly bowed and started walking again. His subtle gestures and mannerisms had a refined quality to them, like Holmes’s. You could tell he was a priest at a high-ranking temple.

“Oh yeah, Holmes, what’d you think of that writing?” I whispered. I couldn’t read what it said, but I could tell it was impressive. How much was it worth?

“Hmm. I thought it was quite significant,” he answered quietly as we walked.

“This is the hojo—the head priest’s quarters,” Ensho said as we arrived at the building. “It’s a designated national treasure.”

On the left side of the residence was a large entranceway with a curved gabled roof. We entered the head priest’s quarters through it.

“It is said that this building was originally the emperor’s residence that was transported here from the Imperial Palace. The paintings on the sliding doors are also our temple’s prized possessions,” Ensho explained, his eyes lighting up with pride.

Holmes seemed happy as he looked around the building. “This is my first time inside here. The vivid painted doors are truly magnificent,” he said passionately, staring at the paintings.

“Yeah, they’re really nice.”

I took my phone out of my pocket to take a picture, but Ensho interrupted me, saying, “Sorry, no photos allowed.” He put his hands together apologetically.

I stopped in my tracks, and he chuckled at my disappointed face before saying, “However, this is fine to photograph. The statue of Hanshan and Shide is another of our treasures.” He pointed at a statue of two monks standing right up against each other. “Hanshan and Shide are the names of two monks from the Tang dynasty. They have quite an eccentric story, so their legend became the subject of many statues and paintings.”

“I see…” Despite his recommendation, I couldn’t bring myself to take a picture of a statue of two old men being chummy. Holmes on the other hand was looking at it as excitedly as ever.

I went around, looking at the porcelain vases and hanging scrolls with dragons painted on them.

“‘Dragon and Clouds’ is another one of the temple’s treasures, right? We went to the lecture hall earlier, but unfortunately, it wasn’t open to the public, so we couldn’t see it.” Holmes placed his hand on his chest, seeming disappointed.

“Dragon and Clouds?” I said.

“On the ceiling of the main building is a painting of a dragon by the artist Keinen Imao.”

“Oh yeah, that’s common in temples.”

“Would you like to see it right now?” Ensho asked.

I was appalled. We already came this far; we don’t need to go all the way back to the main building! I screamed internally.

“Of course,” Holmes answered, nodding firmly. I guess he’ll never pass up a chance to look at art.

Unlike me who thought it was a total drag, Holmes and Ensho walked briskly towards the main building. Even their hurried walking looked refined for some reason.

“Man, I dunno what it is, but you and Ensho have a similar aura.”

“What?” Holmes turned around. “Is that so?”

“Oh, you don’t notice things about yourself? Something about you two just feels the same. Maybe you’re the priestly type.” I chuckled.

“Despite how I look, I have plenty of worldly desires,” Holmes said with a smile. “Oh right, Akihito. Nanzen-ji’s cover tiles also have dragons on them.” He looked up at the roof.

“Cover tiles?” Confused, I looked up and saw that the corner of the roof had a sculpture of a dragon’s head on it. “Huh, I didn’t notice that.” Pretty nice.

Ensho clasped his hands in front of his chest, seeming impressed. “Indeed, there are many who don’t see them. Well done.”

“That’s not something you need to praise me for.” Holmes shrugged with a strained smile.

We continued into the main building where the painting was. On the ceiling was a dragon in a circle, staring down at us. It was gripping a jewel. The entire painting was tinged with blue.

“It really is splendid,” Holmes said passionately, gazing at the ceiling painting.

“We actually wanted you to look at this dragon painting,” Ensho said quietly.

“Is there an issue with it?”

“We’ll explain at the head priest’s residence.” Ensho bowed with a pensive look. Holmes and I exchanged glances.